FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Shannon Haber, 213-241-6766
CORE Showcases High-Achieving Schools With Academic Growth Awards
LOS ANGELES (April 26, 2019) - More than 300 Los Angeles Unified schools have been recognized for making a significant impact on student achievement by the California Office to Reform Education (CORE), which is collaborating with Ed Trust West in launching the new high-growth awards.
Ninety schools have been honored with High Growth Awards for demonstrating three years of above-average academic gains on state assessments in English-language arts, math or both subjects. An additional 227 schools have been honored with High Impact Badges for making significant academic improvement on the assessments over a year’s time. The winning schools are listed here.
CORE – a coalition of Los Angeles Unified and seven other California school districts – created a mathematical model that measures the academic progress that the same students make on state assessments from one year to the next. The system compares schools by considering whether each student’s progress is greater or less than what could be expected for other students in similar circumstances.
“This new system recognizes the hard work taking place in Los Angeles Unified,” said Superintendent Austin Beutner. “We must continue our efforts to close achievement and opportunity gaps in all of our schools.”
“Congratulations to all of the students, teachers, staff and family who go above and beyond to achieve greatness!” said Board President Mónica García. “Thank you to our partners at CORE and Ed Trust West for lifting the stories of the Los Angeles Unified community. We are so proud to see the growth and progress of our schools, and we look forward to continuing in this path of success!”
“When educators collaborate, students win,” said Board Vice President Nick Melvoin. “We need to continue sharing best practices and replicating programs that are accelerating growth in academic outcomes and allowing all of our students to reach their full potential."
“As we celebrate the growth and academic achievement of these schools, we recognize that we must continue to invest in resources that will allow us to accelerate these gains,” said Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III.
“As a former Los Angeles Unified teacher, counselor and principal, it always gives me great pleasure to report our schools' and students' accomplishments and progress,” said Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson. “These are the stories that are rarely celebrated by the media but we know that our school communities are committed to making sure that every child succeeds in school and in life. Congratulations to all of the schools that made the list and the dedicated students, families, educators and support staff who make it happen.”
“Too often, our conception of schools is fixed on proficiency, which fails to recognize schools that are meeting students where they are and accelerating their learning,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “It’s critical that we have a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of how our schools are doing. I’m thrilled to have so many schools in the East Valley honored for high student growth, and I’m looking forward to the release of the School Performance Framework which will reflect the understanding that progress is as important for our schools as reaching standards.”